Tkachenko: The Upper Lavra returned to the state

Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko. Photo: Facebook

The Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have been officially taken from the use of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Minister of Culture Alexander Tkachenko said following the results of the commission on the acceptance-transfer of these buildings. He wrote about this on Facebook.

"These two places of worship, located on the territory of the Reserve, were given to the temporary free use of the UOC since 2016 according to the contract, which expired on 31.12.2022," he said.

The commission began its work on January 2 this year and worked on an inventory of the property, as well as drawing up an act of technical inspection of the two buildings. The commission's work has provided a comprehensive description of the property of the Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church, as well as the condition of the iconostasis and icons and other property which cannot be separated from the church buildings (e.g., the Holy Gates and chandeliers) so that it can be returned to the balance holder.

The minister said that the act was drawn up without the abbot of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

"As a result of the work of the commission, a corresponding act for the return of the buildings by the UOC was signed. In spite of the fact that Metropolitan Pavel, who was supposed to sign the act, did not come to the last meeting of the commission, this is not an obstacle to the return of state property. The Metropolitan's absence was documented by members of the commission, and the acts themselves, signed by the Reserve, were sent to the other party for review," Tkachenko wrote.

As reported, the press service of the ЩCU said that the head of the OCU, Epifaniy, will perform a Christmas service at the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Earlier, services at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's Dormition Cathedral were held by the UOC, but the lease agreement with it was refused to be extended, and the cathedral has been closed since the New Year.

At the same time, the UOC says that under Ukrainian law, the Church retains the right to use the temples.

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